Catalog
1000 Naira Independence
| Issuer | Central Bank of Nigeria |
|---|---|
| Year | 2010 |
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| Currency | Naira (1973-date) |
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| Obverse description | Central field features a stylized color-enameled rendition of the Nigerian national flag in green and white, overlaid with a large commemorative '50' numeral rendered in gold tone to mark the golden jubilee of independence. The legend 'NIGERIA'S' arcs across the upper field, with 'INDEPENDENCE' inscribed in bold capitals below the central motif, followed by 'ANNIVERSARY 1960-2010' and the italic motto 'Celebrating Greatness' toward the lower field. The design is executed in a modern graphic style with applied color, set against a polished proof field. |
|---|---|
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| Reverse description | The central field displays a finely detailed high-relief depiction of a maize plant in full ear, its husks and silk rendered with botanical precision, symbolizing Nigerian agricultural heritage. To the left of the maize, a schematic vignette of oil derricks and industrial infrastructure alludes to Nigeria's petroleum industry. The denomination '1000 NAIRA' is inscribed in bold numerals and lettering to the right of center. The date range '1960 - 2010' appears in the lower exergue, flanked by small decorative dots, commemorating the fiftieth anniversary of Nigerian independence. |
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| Additional information |
Issued to mark Nigeria's fiftieth anniversary of independence from Britain, achieved on October 1, 1960. The 1000 Naira denomination is purely notional — no circulating coin of that value existed then or now, and the face value bears no relationship to the silver content or the coin's actual market price.
The specifications mirror the Commonwealth crown-sized format adopted by dozens of issuing authorities for commemorative purposes, with the 28.28g/.925 standard effectively set by the Royal Mint and widely licensed outward. Nigeria's commemorative program in this period was administered through external minting contractors rather than the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company.